Mystic Valley Class of 2017 graduates

Tuesday

Jun 20, 2017 at 4:30 PMJun 20, 2017 at 4:30 PM

The Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Class of 2017 held its commencement ceremony on June 9 before a gym packed with family and friends of the graduates at the school’s facility on Eastern Avenue.

There are 96 members of the Class of 2017. Ninety-four students will enter institutions of higher learning. Of that number, 83 will enter four-year colleges and universities. Mystic Valley graduates will enter 48 different colleges and universities, 31 of them in Massachusetts and 17 in various other states. One student will study as an apprentice at a trade school, and one will serve in City Year, a community service-based program. The majority of Mystic Valley graduates will attend college with full or partial scholarships, and direct merit-based grants.

The commencement began with the singing of the National Anthem by Class of 2017’s Talia Cutulle. Mystic Valley’s Assistant Director for grades 9-12 Alex Dan spoke briefly to the graduates before introducing salutatorian Nancy Nguyen and then valedictorian Emily Nguyen, who each gave speeches to their classmates, friends and families. The commencement address was delivered by judge Cesar A. Archilla, circuit associate justice, Essex County District Courts.

After the commencement address, awards were presented to students who excelled in various academic subjects. The students winning the awards were: General Excellence in Effort Award — Courtney Chagnon; General Excellence in English — Emily Nguyen; Effort Award in English — Liam Locke; General Excellence in History — Emily Nguyen; Effort Award in History — Isabella Addison; General Excellence in Mathematics — Nancy Nguyen; Effort Award in Mathematics — Gabriella Ssewankambo; General Excellence in Science — Nancy Nguyen; Effort Award in Science — Marcus Brown; General Excellence in Latin — Elena Bibilos; Effort Award in Latin — Abigail Sullivan; General Excellence in Spanish — Veronica Drahos; Effort Award in Spanish — Michael Carlino; General Excellence in Art — Elena Bibilos; and Effort Award in Art — Courtney Ryan.

The graduates were then awarded their diplomas. As they left the stage each graduate was given a copy of the U.S. Constitution and George Washington’s “Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour.”

Following the awarding of the diplomas, Dan delivered the director’s charge and congratulated the graduates on their accomplishment. Mystic Valley’s band played during the ceremony to the pleasure of those in attendance.